|
untitled
Last Updated: Monday, November 15th, 2004 HOME | Previous Page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oyinlola asks NLC to shelve strike
By Segun Fatuase, (Lagos) and Gbenga Faturoti, (Osogbo)
Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to shelve its planned
nationwide strike, scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
Speaking in the same breath, Ondo state Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Kekemeke, has condemned
the planned strike action over the hike in fuel prices by the NLC, saying that it was wrong for the labour body
to dictate to government on issues affecting the masses.
While hosting the states� League of Alfas and Imams to an eid el fitri luncheon at the Government House, Osogbo,
Oyinlola maintained that the leadership of the NLC should embrace dialogue as a means of resolving the impasse.
He said an industrial action is a threat to a nation�s development and as such not the best option.
�The nation would not be able to move ahead. All things would definitely come to a standstill. For the love of
our nation, let the labour leaders embrace dialogue�.
He then pleaded with the Islamic clerics to continue to pray for the success of the present administration in the
country, saying democracy is an epitome of peace.
According to the Ondo Commissioner for Justice, who spoke in Akure, the NLC has consistently gone beyond its brief
with its numerous strike actions.
He stated that it was a matter for deep regret that the masses always suffer anytime the Nigerian economy is shut
down during strike actions.
�The present action of Adams Oshiomhole is an invitation to anarchy. It is also a direct affront to the rule of
law and should be condemned by any peace-loving Nigerian�, he said.
The commissioner, who was a human rights activist before he joined the Olusegun Agagu administration, said that
the masses would suffer unnecessarily if the strike action is allowed to go on and advised that the NLC should
have fought for an increment in transportation allowance rather than confronting government every time.
Kekemeke absolved the federal government from blame over the hike in fuel price and appealed to the general public
to critically assess the situation before taking any action that could plunge the nation into chaos.
As a way out, he said the federal government should encourage the private sector to build refineries since it is
apparent that it cannot run any business profitably. In addition, he said the federal government should focus on
quality control to curb incidents of fuel adulteration by those selling petroleum products.
in a different manner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright? 2004. All Rights Reserved.
Independent Newspapers Limited
Block5, Plot 7D, Wempco Road, Ogba, P.M.B. 21777, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
www.independentng.com
e-mail: [email protected]
Designed By
|
|
